PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL
RECORD
MACOUPIN COUNTY ILLINOIS - 1891

Chicago: Biographical Publishing Company

Page 238

JACOB MOEHRMAN, who is engaged in the furniture and undertaking business on Main Street in Staunton, where he opened his doors for public custom April 24, 1874, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, on the 23d of March, 1839, and for many generations, as far back as history tells us, the ancestors were residents of that land. His father, Jacob Moehrman, Sr., was also a native of the same province, where he lived and died, passing away at the age of sixty-five years. He was a shoemaker by trade and had followed that occupation throughout his business career. He married a Wurtemburg lady, Miss Margaret Herb, who grew to womanhood in the same locality as her husband. After his death she came to America and is now living with a daughter, Mrs. Rosin Jochim, in Columbus, Ohio, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. She is a member of the Lutheran Church, to which Mr. Moehrman also belonged. In their family were seven children, five of whom came to this country, while one is yet living in the Fatherland.

The subject of this sketch is the eldest. He remained at home until fifteen years of age and then started out in life for himself, since which time he has been dependent upon his own resources. He began to learn the trade of a cabinet maker at which he served a full apprenticeship. Also during his residence in his native land he was a member of the regular army, serving as a soldier in 1860, 1861 and 862. Subsequently, in 1866, he served in the rebellion which was then in progress in his country, being on active duty for fourteen weeks, during which time he participated in the battle of Tauberbischofscheim.

Mr. Moehrman was united in marriage with Catherine Grossmann, who was born and reared near the childhood home of our subject. They began their domestic life in the Fatherland, where one child came to bless their union and then they started for America, taking passage at Antwerp upon a steamer which sailed May 21, 1869. They landed in New York and thence made their way to Alton, where they spent two and a half years, Mr. Moehrman working at his trade of a cabinetmaker. He also worked in the same line and for a similar length of time in Mattoon, whence he came to Staunton and here purchased the furniture establishment of John M. Ahrens. Seventeen years have since passed during which time he has met with signal success. His stock is full and complete and in addition to the store located on Main Street he has a large wareroom well filled. He also carried on the undertaking business and by enterprise and ability has succeeded in building up a good trade. Although he had no capital when he came to this country he has succeeded in acquiring a handsome competence and is numbered among the substantial citizens of the community.

Mr. and Mrs. Moehrman are members of the Lutheran Church. They now have a family of three children, the eldest of whom, Charles F., was educated both in the English and German languages and is now associated with his father in the furniture store, being a promising young man possessed of excellent business qualifications. Emma and Elizabeth, the daughters, are still at home. Mr. Moehrman and his son are Republicans in politics.